Reduced viscosity protein pharmaceutical formulations

ABSTRACT

Described herein are therapeutic protein formulations comprising N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), methods related to reducing viscosity of pharmaceutical formulations and methods related to stabilizing pharmaceutical formulations using NMP.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/404,861, filed Oct. 6, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The present application is being filed with a sequence listing in electronic format. The sequence listing provided as a file titled, “A-2092-WO-PCT_sequence_listing_ST25.txt”, created Oct. 5, 2017, and is 284 KB in size. The information in the electronic format of the sequence listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Pharmaceutically active proteins, such as antibodies, are frequently formulated in liquid solutions, particularly for parenteral injection. For products that need to be administered via a subcutaneous route, for example use in self-administration, formulations in delivery volumes greater than 1-2 milliliters are not well tolerated. In such cases, highly concentrated protein formulations are desirable to meet the limited dose volume. The high dose and small volume requirements of such administration means that the protein therapeutic can reach concentrations of upwards of 100 mg/mL or more. Highly concentrated protein formulations can pose many challenges to the manufacturability and administration of protein therapeutics. One challenge posed by some highly concentrated protein formulations is increased viscosity. High viscosity formulations are difficult to handle during manufacturing, including at the bulk and filling stages. High viscosity formulations are also difficult to draw into a syringe and inject, making administration to the patient difficult and unpleasant. There is a need in the pharmaceutical industry to identify compounds that are useful for reducing viscosity of highly concentrated protein formulations, to develop methods of reducing the viscosity of such formulations, and to provide pharmaceutical formulations with reduced viscosity.

SUMMARY

Provided is N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) at selected concentrations for use in reducing the viscosity of protein pharmaceutical formulations. NMP can be used with other excipients, such as for example, arginine, lysine, N-acetyl arginine (NAR), and mixtures thereof. Methods for reducing the viscosity of protein pharmaceutical formulations by combining a high concentration of a therapeutic protein with a viscosity-reducing concentration of NMP are provided herein. Also provided are lyophilized powders comprising a therapeutic protein and NMP, wherein NMP is present at a weight:weight concentration effective to reduce viscosity upon reconstitution with a diluent.

Provided herein are methods for reducing the viscosity of a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutic protein at a concentration of at least about 100 mg/mL, such as about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL (e.g., about 140 mg/mL), such as about 180 mg/mL to about 230 mg/mL, such as about 210 mg/mL, comprising the step of combining the therapeutic protein with a viscosity-reducing concentration of NMP. In one embodiment the viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least about 5%. In another embodiment the viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least about 10%. In another embodiment the viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least about 20%. In another embodiment the viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least about 30%. In another embodiment the viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least about 40%. In another embodiment the viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least about 50%. In another embodiment the viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least about 60%. In another embodiment the viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least about 70%. In another embodiment the viscosity of the formulation is reduced by at least about 80%. In some embodiments, the therapeutic protein is an antibody (such as an IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibody) or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as, for example, an anti-PCSK9 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. An example of an anti-PCSK9 antibody is evolocumab. In a related embodiment, pharmaceutical formulations produced by such methods are provided. Other excipients can be used in combination with NMP, such as arginine, lysine, NAR, and mixtures thereof.

Also provided is a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutic protein at a concentration of at least about 100 mg/mL, such as about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL (e.g., about 140 mg/mL), such as about 180 mg/mL to about 230 mg/mL, such as about 210 mg/mL, and NMP. In one embodiment, the concentration of NMP is from about 1.0 mM to about 1000 mM. In a related embodiment the concentration of NMP is from about 100 mM to about 500 mM. In another related embodiment the concentration of NMP is from about 300 mM to about 425 mM. In another related embodiment the concentration of NMP is about 340 mM. In another related embodiment the concentration of NMP is about 425 mM. In a related embodiment the concentration of NMP is greater than about 300 mM, greater than about 500 mM, greater than about 800 mM, about 1000 mM. Also provided are such pharmaceutical formulations having a pH between about 4.0 to about 6.0. In a related embodiment, the pH is about 4.8 to about 5.4. In some embodiments, the pH is about 5.0. In yet other related embodiments, the therapeutic protein is an antibody (such as an IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibody) or antigen-binding fragment thereof, such as, for example, an anti-PCSK9 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. An example of an anti-PCSK9 antibody is evolocumab.

In one preferred aspect, a pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least about 100 mg/mL, such as about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL (e.g., about 140 mg/mL), such as about 180 mg/mL to about 230 mg/mL, such as about 210 mg/mL of a therapeutic protein, e.g., an antibody (such as an IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibody; an example of an antibody is an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab) or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, about 370-600 mM NMP, and about 0.05-0.2% PLURONIC® F-68 (polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer); in related aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation further comprises a buffer, such as about 5-20 mM acetate; in yet further aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation has a pH of about 4.5-5.5. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least about 100 mg/mL, such as about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL (e.g., about 140 mg/mL), such as about 180 mg/mL to about 230 mg/mL, such as about 210 mg/mL of an antibody (such as an IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibody) or antigen-binding fragment thereof (e.g., an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab), about 425 mM NMP, and about 0.10% PLURONIC® F-68; in related aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation further comprises a buffer, such as about 10 mM acetate; in yet further aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation has a pH of about 5.0. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least about 100 mg/mL of an antibody or (e.g., an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab) or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, about 340 mM NMP, and about 0.10% PLURONIC® F-68; in related aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation further comprises a buffer, such as about 10 mM acetate; in yet further aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation has a pH of about 5.0.

In another preferred aspect, a pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least about 100 mg/mL, such as about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL (e.g., about 140 mg/mL), such as about 180 mg/mL to about 230 mg/mL, such as about 210 mg/mL of a therapeutic protein, e.g., an antibody (such as an IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibody; an example of an antibody is an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab) or antigen-binding fragment thereof, about 50-200 mM NMP, about 90-160 mM lysine, and about 0.005-0.02% polysorbate 80 (polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate, also known as TWEEN® 80); in related aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation further comprises a buffer, such as about 5-20 mM acetate; in yet further aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation has a pH of about 4.5-5.5. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least about 100 mg/mL of an antibody or (e.g., an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab) or an antigen binding fragment thereof, about 100 mM NMP, about 120 mM lysine, and about 0.01% polysorbate 80; in related aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation further comprises a buffer, such as about 20 mM acetate; in yet further aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation has a pH of about 5.0.

In another preferred aspect, a pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least about 100 mg/mL, such as about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL (e.g., about 140 mg/mL), such as about 180 mg/mL to about 230 mg/mL, such as about 210 mg/mL of a therapeutic protein, e.g., an antibody (such as an IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibody; an example of an antibody is an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab) or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, about 50-200 mM NMP, about 90-160 mM arginine, and about 0.005-0.02% polysorbate 80; in related aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation further comprises a buffer, such as about 10-30 mM acetate; in yet further aspects, the pharmaceutical formulation has a pH of about 4.5-5.5.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least about 100 mg/mL, such as about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL (e.g., about 140 mg/mL), such as about 180 mg/mL to about 230 mg/mL, such as about 210 mg/mL of an antibody (such as an IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibody; an example of an antibody is an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab) or antigen binding fragment thereof, about 70 mM NMP, about 130 mM arginine, and about 0.01% polysorbate 80; in related embodiments, the formulation further comprises a buffer, such as about 20 mM acetate; in yet further embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation has a pH of about 5.0.

In another preferred aspect, a pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least about 100 mg/mL of a therapeutic protein, e.g., and antibody (e.g., an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab) or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, about 50-150 mM NMP, about 90-200 mM N-acetyl arginine (NAR), and about 0.005-0.02% polysorbate 80, and about 5-20 mM acetate has a pH of 4.5-5.5. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises at least about 100 mg/mL of an antibody (e.g., an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab), 10 mM acetate, 100 mM NMP, 155 mM NAR, 0.01% polysorbate 80, and has a pH of 5.0.

Also provided is a method of preparing a lyophilized powder comprising the step of lyophilizing a pharmaceutical formulation as described above.

Provided herein is a lyophilized powder comprising a therapeutic protein, wherein NMP is present at a weight:weight concentration effective to reduce viscosity upon reconstitution with a diluent. In one embodiment NMP is present at a concentration of between about 100 μg/mg therapeutic protein to about 1 mg/mg therapeutic protein, such as an antibody (such as an IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibody; an example of an antibody is an anti-PCSK9 antibody, such as evolocumab) or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. In a related embodiment, NMP is present at a concentration between about 200 μg to about 500 μg/mg therapeutic protein. Also provided is a method for reconstituting a lyophilized powder as described above comprising the step of adding a sterile aqueous diluent. Other excipients, such as for example, arginine, lysine, N-acetyl arginine (NAR), and mixtures thereof, can be included with NMP.

Also provided are therapeutic proteins that are antibodies (such as IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibodies) or antigen-binding fragments thereof. Also provided are formulations or compositions as described above wherein the therapeutic protein is an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. In addition, also provided herein is a lyophilized powder as described above wherein the therapeutic protein is an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof.

For example, therapeutic proteins and antibodies (and antigen-binding fragments thereof) include Activase® (Alteplase); alirocumab (anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody designated as H1H316P, see U.S. Pat. No. 8,062,640); Aranesp® (Darbepoetin-alfa), Epogen® (Epoetin alfa, or erythropoietin); Avonex® (Interferon β-Ia); Bexxar® (Tositumomab); Bseron® (Interferon-β); bococizumab (anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody designated as L1L3, see U.S. Pat. No. 8,080,243); Campath® (Alemtuzumab); Dynepo® (Epoetin delta); Velcade® (bortezomib); MLN0002 (anti-α4β7 mAb); MLN1202 (anti-CCR2 chemokine receptor mAb); Enbrel® (etanercept); Eprex® (Epoetin alfa); Erbitux® (Cetuximab); evolocumab (anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody designated as 21B12, see U.S. Pat. No. 8,030,467); Genotropin® (Somatropin); Herceptin® (Trastuzumab); Humatrope® (somatropin [rDNA origin] for injection); Humira® (Adalimumab); Infergen® (Interferon Alfacon-1); Natrecor® (nesiritide); Kineret® (Anakinra), Leukine® (Sargamostim); LymphoCide® (Epratuzumab); Benlysta™ (Belimumab); Metalyse® (Tenecteplase); Mircera® (methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin β); Mylotarg® (Gemtuzumab ozogamicin); Raptiva® (efalizumab); Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol); Soliris™ (Eculizumab); Pexelizumab (Anti-C5 Complement); MEDI-524 (Numax®); Lucentis® (Ranibizumab); Edrecolomab (,Panorex®); Trabio® (lerdelimumab); TheraCim hR3 (Nimotuzumab); Omnitarg (Pertuzumab, 2C4); Osidem® (IDM-I); OvaRex® (B43.13); Nuvion® (visilizumab); Cantuzumab mertansine (huC242-DMI); NeoRecormon® (Epoetin β); Neumega® (Oprelvekin); Neulasta® (Pegylated filgastrim, pegylated G-CSF, pegylated hu-Met-G-CSF); Neupogen® (Filgrastim); Orthoclone OKT3® (Muromonab-CD3), Procrit® (Epoetin alfa); Remicade® (Infliximab), Reopro® (Abciximab), Actemra® (anti-IL6 Receptor mAb), Avastin® (Bevacizumab), HuMax-CD4 (zanolimumab), Rituxan® (Rituximab); Tarceva® (Erlotinib); Roferon-A®-(Interferon alfa-2a); Simulect® (Basiliximab); Stelara™ (Ustekinumab); Prexige® (lumiracoxib); Synagis® (Palivizumab); 146B7-CHO (anti-IL15 antibody, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,507), Tysabri® (Natalizumab); Valortim® (MDX-1303, anti-B. anthracis Protective Antigen mAb); ABthrax™; Vectibix® (Panitumumab); Xolair® (Omalizumab), ETI211 (anti-MRSA mAb), IL-I Trap (the Fc portion of human IgGI and the extracellular domains of both IL-I receptor components (the Type I receptor and receptor accessory protein)), VEGF Trap (Ig domains of VEGFRI fused to IgGI Fc), Zenapax® (Daclizumab); Zenapax® (Daclizumab), Zevalin® (Ibritumomab tiuxetan), Zetia (ezetimibe), Atacicept (TACI-Ig), anti-α4β7 mAb (vedolizumab); galiximab (anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody), anti-CD23 mAb (lumiliximab); BR2-Fc (huBR3/huFc fusion protein, soluble BAFF antagonist); Simponi™ (Golimumab); Mapatumumab (human anti-TRAIL Receptor-1 mAb); Ocrelizumab (anti-CD20 human mAb); HuMax-EGFR (zalutumumab); M200 (Volociximab, anti-α5β1 integrin mAb); MDX-010 (Ipilimumab, anti-CTLA-4 mAb and VEGFR-I (IMC-18F1); anti-BR3 mAb; anti-Clostridium difficile Toxin A and Toxin B C mAbs MDX-066 (CDA-I) and MDX-1388); anti-CD22 dsFv-PE38 conjugates (CAT-3888 and CAT-8015); anti-CD25 mAb (HuMax-TAC); Adecatumumab (MT201, anti-EpCAM-CD326 mAb); MDX-060, SGN-30, SGN-35 (anti-CD30 mAbs); MDX-1333 (anti-IFNAR); HuMax CD38 (anti-CD38 mAb); anti-CD40L mAb; anti-Cripto mAb; anti-CTGF Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Phase I Fibrogen (FG-3019); anti-CTLA4 mAb; anti-eotaxinI mAb (CAT-213); anti-FGF8 mAb; anti-ganglioside GD2 mAb; anti-ganglioside GM2 mAb; anti-GDF-8 human mAb (MYO-029); anti-GM-CSF Receptor mAb (CAM-3001); anti-HepC mAb (HuMax HepC); MEDI-545, MDX-1103 (anti-IFNα mAb); anti-IGFIR mAb; anti-IGF-IR mAb (HuMax-Inflam); anti-IL12/IL23p40 mAb (Briakinumab); anti-IL-23p19 mAb (LY2525623); anti-IL13 mAb (CAT-354); anti-IL-17 mAb (AIN457); anti-IL2Ra mAb (HuMax-TAC); anti-IL5 Receptor mAb; anti-integrin receptors mAb (MDX-OI8, CNTO 95); anti-IPIO Ulcerative Colitis mAb (MDX-1100); anti-LLY antibody; BMS-66513; anti-Mannose Receptor/hCGβ mAb (MDX-1307); anti-mesothelin dsFv-PE38 conjugate (CAT-5001); anti-PDImAb (MDX-1 106 (ONO-4538)); anti-PDGFRα antibody (IMC-3G3); anti-TGFβ mAb (GC-1008); anti-TRAIL Receptor-2 human mAb (HGS-ETR2); anti-TWEAK mAb; anti-VEGFR/Flt-1 mAb; anti-ZP3 mAb (HuMax-ZP3); NVS Antibody #1; and NVS Antibody #2.

Additional examples of antibodies (and antigen-binding fragments thereof) include the antibodies shown in Table A. Other examples of antibodies (and antigen-binding fragments thereof) include abagovomab, abciximab, actoxumab, adalimumab, afelimomab, afutuzumab, alacizumab, alacizumab pegol, ald518, alemtuzumab, alemtuzumab, alirocumab, altinumab, altumomab, amatuximab, anatumomab mafenatox, anrukinzumab, apolizumab, arcitumomab, aselizumab, atlizumab, atorolimiumab, bapineuzumab, basiliximab, bavituximab, bectumomab, belimumab, benralizumab, bertilimumab, besilesomab, bevacizumab, bezlotoxumab, biciromab, bivatuzumab, bivatuzumab mertansine, blinatumomab, blosozumab, brentuximab vedotin, briakinumab, brodalumab, canakinumab, cantuzumab mertansine, cantuzumab mertansine, caplacizumab, capromab pendetide, carlumab, catumaxomab, cc49, cedelizumab, certolizumab pegol, cetuximab, citatuzumab bogatox, cixutumumab, clazakizumab, clenoliximab, clivatuzumab tetraxetan, conatumumab, cr6261, crenezumab, dacetuzumab, daclizumab, dalotuzumab, daratumumab, demcizumab, denosumab, detumomab, dorlimomab aritox, drozitumab, duligotumab, dupilumab, ecromeximab, eculizumab, edobacomab, edrecolomab, efalizumab, efungumab, elotuzumab, elsilimomab, enavatuzumab, enlimomab pegol, enokizumab, enokizumab, enoticumab, enoticumab, ensituximab, epitumomab cituxetan, epratuzumab, erenumab, erlizumab, ertumaxomab, etaracizumab, etrolizumab, evolocumab, exbivirumab, exbivirumab, fanolesomab, faralimomab, farletuzumab, fasinumab, fbta05, felvizumab, fezakinumab, ficlatuzumab, figitumumab, flanvotumab, fontolizumab, foralumab, foravirumab, fresolimumab, fulranumab, futuximab, galiximab, ganitumab, gantenerumab, gavilimomab, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, gevokizumab, girentuximab, glembatumumab vedotin, golimumab, gomiliximab, gs6624, ibalizumab, ibritumomab tiuxetan, icrucumab, igovomab, imciromab, i mgatuzumab, inclacumab, indatuximab ravtansine, infliximab, inolimomab, inotuzumab ozogamicin, intetumumab, ipilimumab, iratumumab, itolizumab, ixekizumab, keliximab, labetuzumab, lebrikizumab, lemalesomab, lerdelimumab, lexatumumab, libivirumab, ligelizumab, lintuzumab, lirilumab, lorvotuzumab mertansine, lucatumumab, lumiliximab, mapatumumab, maslimomab, matuzumab, mavrilimumab, mepolizumab, metelimumab, milatuzumab, minretumomab, mitumomab, mogamulizumab, morolimumab, motavizumab, moxetumomab pasudotox, muromonab-cd3, nacolomab tafenatox, namilumab, naptumomab estafenatox, narnatumab, natalizumab, nebacumab, necitumumab, nerelimomab, nesvacumab, nimotuzumab, nivolumab, nofetumomab merpentan, ocaratuzumab, ocrelizumab, odulimomab, ofatumumab, olaratumab, olokizumab, omalizumab, onartuzumab, oportuzumab monatox, oregovomab, orticumab, otelixizumab, oxelumab, ozanezumab, ozoralizumab, pagibaximab, palivizumab, palivizumab, panitumumab, panobacumab, parsatuzumab, pascolizumab, pateclizumab, patritumab, pemtumomab, perakizumab, pertuzumab, pexelizumab, pidilizumab, pintumomab, placulumab, ponezumab, priliximab, pritumumab, PRO 140, quilizumab, racotumomab, radretumab, rafivirumab, ramucirumab, ranibizumab, raxibacumab, regavirumab, reslizumab, rilotumumab, rituximab, robatumumab, roledumab, romosozumab, rontalizumab, rovelizumab, ruplizumab, samalizumab, sarilumab, satumomab pendetide, secukinumab, sevirumab, sibrotuzumab, sifalimumab, siltuximab, simtuzumab, siplizumab, sirukumab, solanezumab, solitomab, sonepcizumab, sontuzumab, stamulumab, sulesomab, suvizumab, tabalumab, tacatuzumab tetraxetan, tadocizumab, talizumab, tanezumab, taplitumomab paptox, tefibazumab, tefibazumab, telimomab aritox, telimomab aritox, tenatumomab, tenatumomab, teneliximab, teplizumab, teprotumumab, TGN1412, ticilimumab, tigatuzumab, tildrakizumab, TNX-650, tocilizumab, tocilizumab, toralizumab, tositumomab, tralokinumab, trastuzumab, TRBS07, tregalizumab, tremelimumab, tremelimumab, tucotuzumab celmoleukin, tuvirumab, ublituximab, urelumab, urtoxazumab, ustekinumab, vapaliximab, vatelizumab, vedolizumab, veltuzumab, vepalimomab, vesencumab, visilizumab, volociximab, vorsetuzumab mafodotin, votumumab, zalutumumab, zanolimumab, zatuximab, ziralimumab, and zolimomab aritox.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B. Changes in solution viscosity at 25° C. FIG. 1A: Measured solution viscosity as a function of protein concentration in presence of excipients (●) 1000 mM NMP, (Δ) 340 mM NMP, (◯) 1000 mM DMA, (▾) 1000 mM DMSO, (□) 170 mM arginine and (▪) 220 mM proline over a range of concentrations 110 mg/mL to 220 mg/mL. Each data point represents an average of two independent readings. Error bars are displayed as 2 times standard deviation of the measurements. FIG. 1B: Measured solution viscosity as a function of increasing NMP concentrations at 210 mg/mL evolocumab

FIG. 2. Changes in solution viscosity at 25° C. Measured solution viscosity as a function of protein concentration in presence of excipients (●) 130 mM Arginine, 70 mM NMP, (▪) 340 mM NMP, (◯) 170 mM Arginine and (▾) 220 mM Proline over a range of concentrations 110 mg/mL to 220 mg/mL. Each data point represents an average of two independent readings. Error bars are displayed as 2 times standard deviation of the measurements.

FIG. 3. Evolocumab viscosity as a function of the concentration of different excipients.

FIG. 4. Effect of 4% NMP on a variety of mAbs. There were three IgG2 antibodies tested (IgG2 Ab A, IgG2 Ab B, and IgG2 Ab C), and three IgG1 antibodies tested (IgG1 Ab A, IgG1 Ab B, and IgG1 Ab C). It was seen that addition of 4% NMP (striped bar for each mAb) had significantly lower viscosity compared to no excipient for 5 out of the 6 molecules. The molecule where NMP did not have a significant effect (same as control) was IgG1 Ab B. It is possible that this was due to the presence of Fab glycosylation for IgG1 Ab B which was absent from all the other molecules tested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reducing the viscosity of high concentration therapeutic protein formulations is of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. NMP was discovered to reduce the viscosity of liquid formulations. Such formulations comprising NMP were also found to have lowered viscosity in the presence of optional, additional excipients, such as for example, arginine, lysine, N-acetyl arginine (NAR), and mixtures thereof. Provided herein is NMP at selected concentrations for use in reducing the viscosity of protein formulations. Methods for reducing the viscosity of protein formulations by combining the therapeutic protein with a viscosity-reducing concentration of NMP is provided herein. Also provided is lyophilized powder comprising a therapeutic protein and NMP, wherein NMP is present at a weight:weight concentration effective to reduce viscosity upon reconstitution with a diluent.

Unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Generally, nomenclatures used in connection with, and techniques of, cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics and protein and nucleic acid chemistry and hybridization described herein are those well-known and commonly used in the art. The disclosed methods and techniques are generally performed according to conventional methods well-known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that are cited and discussed throughout the present specification unless otherwise indicated. See, e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3rd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (2001) and Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates (1992), and Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1990). Enzymatic reactions and purification techniques are performed according to manufacturer's specifications, as commonly accomplished in the art or as described herein. The terminology used in connection with, and the laboratory procedures and techniques of, analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry described herein are those well-known and commonly used in the art. Standard techniques can be used for chemical syntheses, chemical analyses, pharmaceutical preparation, formulation, and delivery, and treatment of patients. Stated ranges include all values in between the endpoints of the range.

All patents and other publications identified are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the methodologies described in such publications that might be used in connection with the described.

NMP (N-methyl pyrrolidone) is an organic pharmaceutical excipient that has been employed in both parenteral as well as oral formulations. See, e.g., “Review of Pharmaceutical Applications of N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone.” Jouyban, A; Fakhree M A A and Shayanfar A J. Pharm. Pharmaceut. Sci. 13(4) 524-535.

The terms “polypeptide” and “protein” are used interchangeably herein. Exemplary polypeptides contemplated for use in the stable pharmaceutical formulations disclosed herein include antibodies, peptibodies, immunoglobulin-like proteins, non-antibody proteins and non-immunoglobulin-like proteins. Analogs of naturally occurring proteins are contemplated for inclusion in the disclosed formulations, including polypeptides with modified glycosylation, polypeptides without glycosylation (unglycosylated). As used herein, “analogs” refers to an amino acid sequence that has insertions, deletions or substitutions relative to the parent sequence, while still substantially maintaining the biological activity of the parent sequence, as determined using biological assays known to one of skill in the art. The disclosed formulations can also include derivatives of naturally occurring or analog polypeptides which have been chemically modified, for example, to attach water soluble polymers (e.g., PEGylated), radionuclides, or other diagnostic or targeting or therapeutic moieties.

Antibodies can be formulated using the methods and compositions disclosed herein. As used herein, the term “antibody” includes fully assembled antibodies, monoclonal antibodies (including human, humanized or chimeric antibodies), polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), maxibody, and antibody fragments that can bind antigen (e.g., Fab′, F′(ab)2, Fv, single chain antibodies, diabodies), comprising complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of the foregoing as long as they exhibit the desired biological activity.

Peptibodies, molecules comprising an antibody Fc domain attached to at least one antigen-binding peptide, are generally described in PCT publication WO 00/24782. Immunoglobulin-like proteins, members of the immunoglobulin superfamily, contain one or more immunoglobulin-like domains which fold in structures similar to portions of the antibody variable region.

Proteins, including those that bind to one or more of the following, are useful in the disclosed compositions and methods. These include CD proteins including, but not limited to, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD20, CD22, CD30, and CD34; including those that interfere with receptor binding. HER receptor family proteins, including HER2, HER3, HER4, and the e.g., F receptor. Cell adhesion molecules, for example, LFA-I, Mol, pI50, 95, VLA-4, ICAM-I, VCAM, and α v/β 3 integrin. Growth factors, including but not limited to, vascular endothelial growth factor (“VEGF”), growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, growth hormone releasing factor, parathyroid hormone, Mullerian-inhibiting substance, human macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-I-α), erythropoietin (EPO), nerve growth factor, such as NGF-β, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factors, including, for instance, aFGF and bFGF, epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factors (TGF), including, among others, TGF-α and TGF-β, including TGF-βI, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, TGF-β4, or TGF-β5, insulin-like growth factors-I and -II (IGF-I and IGF-II), des(I-3)-IGF-I (brain IGF-I), and osteoinductive factors. Insulins and insulin-related proteins, including but not limited to, insulin, insulin A-chain, insulin B-chain, proinsulin, and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins. Coagulation and coagulation-related proteins, such as, among others, factor VIII, tissue factor, von Willebrands factor, protein C, α-1-antitrypsin, plasminogen activators, such as urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator (“t-PA”), bombazine, thrombin, and thrombopoietin; (vii) other blood and serum proteins, including but not limited to, albumin, IgE, and blood group antigens. Colony stimulating factors and receptors thereof, including the following, among others, M-CSF, GM-CSF, and G-CSF, and receptors thereof, such as CSF-1 receptor (c-fms). Receptors and receptor-associated proteins, including, for example, flk2/flt3 receptor, obesity (OB) receptor, LDL receptor, growth hormone receptors, thrombopoietin receptors (“TPO-R,” “c-mpl”), glucagon receptors, interleukin receptors, interferon receptors, T-cell receptors, stem cell factor receptors, such as c-Kit, and other receptors listed herein. Receptor ligands, including, for example, OX40L, the ligand for the OX40 receptor. Neurotrophic factors, including but not limited to, bone-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3, -4, -5, or -6 (NT-3, NT-4, NT-5, or NT-6). Relaxin A-chain, relaxin B-chain, and prorelaxin; interferons and interferon receptors, including for example, interferon-α, -β, and -γ, and their receptors. Interleukins and interleukin receptors, including but not limited to, IL-I to IL-33 and IL-I to IL-33 receptors, such as the IL-8 receptor, among others. Viral antigens, including but not limited to, an AIDS envelope viral antigen. Lipoproteins, calcitonin, glucagon, atrial natriuretic factor, lung surfactant, tumor necrosis factor-α and -β, enkephalinase, RANTES (regulated on activation normally T-cell expressed and secreted), mouse gonadotropin-associated peptide, DNAse, inhibin, and activin. Integrin, protein A or D, rheumatoid factors, immunotoxins, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), superoxide dismutase, surface membrane proteins, decay accelerating factor (DAF), AIDS envelope, transport proteins, homing receptors, addressins, regulatory proteins, immunoadhesins, antibodies. Myostatins, TALL proteins, including TALL-I, amyloid proteins, including but not limited to, amyloid-β proteins, thymic stromal lymphopoietins (“TSLP”), RANK ligand (“OPGL”), c-kit, TNF receptors, including TNF Receptor Type 1, TRAIL-R2, angiopoietins, and biologically active fragments or analogs or variants of any of the foregoing.

Exemplary proteins and antibodies include Activase® (Alteplase); alirocumab (anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody designated as H1H316P, see U.S. Pat. No. 8,062,640); Aranesp® (Darbepoetin-alfa), Epogen® (Epoetin alfa, or erythropoietin); Avonex® (Interferon β-Ia); Bexxar® (Tositumomab); Bseron® (Interferon-β); bococizumab (anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody designated as L1L3, see U.S. Pat. No. 8,080,243); Campath® (Alemtuzumab); Dynepo® (Epoetin delta); Velcade® (bortezomib); MLN0002 (anti-α4β7 mAb); MLN1202 (anti-CCR2 chemokine receptor mAb); Enbrel® (etanercept); Eprex® (Epoetin alfa); Erbitux® (Cetuximab); evolocumab (anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody designated as 21B12, see U.S. Pat. No. 8,030,467; heavy chain: SEQ ID NO:104; light chain: SEQ ID NO:105); Genotropin® (Somatropin); Herceptin® (Trastuzumab); Humatrope® (somatropin [rDNA origin] for injection); Humira® (Adalimumab); Infergen® (Interferon Alfacon-1); Natrecor® (nesiritide); Kineret® (Anakinra), Leukine® (Sargamostim); LymphoCide® (Epratuzumab); Benlysta™ (Belimumab); Metalyse® (Tenecteplase); Mircera® (methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin β); Mylotarg® (Gemtuzumab ozogamicin); Raptiva® (efalizumab); Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol); Soliris™ (Eculizumab); Pexelizumab (Anti-C5 Complement); MEDI-524 (Numax®); Lucentis® (Ranibizumab); Edrecolomab (,Panorex®); Trabio® (lerdelimumab); TheraCim hR3 (Nimotuzumab); Omnitarg (Pertuzumab, 2C4); Osidem® (IDM-I); OvaRex® (B43.13); Nuvion® (visilizumab); Cantuzumab mertansine (huC242-DMI); NeoRecormon® (Epoetin β); Neumega® (Oprelvekin); Neulasta® (Pegylated filgastrim, pegylated G-CSF, pegylated hu-Met-G-CSF); Neupogen® (Filgrastim); Orthoclone OKT3® (Muromonab-CD3), Procrit® (Epoetin alfa); Remicade® (Infliximab), Reopro® (Abciximab), Actemra® (anti-IL6 Receptor mAb), Avastin® (Bevacizumab), HuMax-CD4 (zanolimumab), Rituxan® (Rituximab); Tarceva® (Erlotinib); Roferon-A®-(Interferon alfa-2a); Simulect® (Basiliximab); Stelara™ (Ustekinumab); Prexige® (lumiracoxib); Synagis® (Palivizumab); 146B7-CHO (anti-IL15 antibody, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,507), Tysabri® (Natalizumab); Valortim® (MDX-1303, anti-B. anthracis Protective Antigen mAb); ABthrax™; Vectibix® (Panitumumab); Xolair® (Omalizumab), ETI211 (anti-MRSA mAb), IL-I Trap (the Fc portion of human IgGI and the extracellular domains of both IL-I receptor components (the Type I receptor and receptor accessory protein)), VEGF Trap (Ig domains of VEGFRI fused to IgGI Fc), Zenapax® (Daclizumab); Zenapax® (Daclizumab), Zevalin® (Ibritumomab tiuxetan), Zetia (ezetimibe), Atacicept (TACI-Ig), anti-α4β7 mAb (vedolizumab); galiximab (anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody), anti-CD23 mAb (lumiliximab); BR2-Fc (huBR3/huFc fusion protein, soluble BAFF antagonist); Simponi™ (Golimumab); Mapatumumab (human anti-TRAIL Receptor-1 mAb); Ocrelizumab (anti-CD20 human mAb); HuMax-EGFR (zalutumumab); M200 (Volociximab, anti-α5β1 integrin mAb); MDX-010 (Ipilimumab, anti-CTLA-4 mAb and VEGFR-I (IMC-18F1); anti-BR3 mAb; anti-Clostridium difficile Toxin A and Toxin B C mAbs MDX-066 (CDA-I) and MDX-1388); anti-CD22 dsFv-PE38 conjugates (CAT-3888 and CAT-8015); anti-CD25 mAb (HuMax-TAC); Adecatumumab (MT201, anti-EpCAM-CD326 mAb); MDX-060, SGN-30, SGN-35 (anti-CD30 mAbs); MDX-1333 (anti-IFNAR); HuMax CD38 (anti-CD38 mAb); anti-CD40L mAb; anti-Cripto mAb; anti-CTGF Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Phase I Fibrogen (FG-3019); anti-CTLA4 mAb; anti-eotaxinI mAb (CAT-213); anti-FGF8 mAb; anti-ganglioside GD2 mAb; anti-ganglioside GM2 mAb; anti-GDF-8 human mAb (MYO-029); anti-GM-CSF Receptor mAb (CAM-3001); anti-HepC mAb (HuMax HepC); MEDI-545, MDX-1103 (anti-IFNα mAb); anti-IGFIR mAb; anti-IGF-IR mAb (HuMax-Inflam); anti-IL12/IL23p40 mAb (Briakinumab); anti-IL-23p19 mAb (LY2525623); anti-IL13 mAb (CAT-354); anti-IL-17 mAb (AIN457); anti-IL2Ra mAb (HuMax-TAC); anti-IL5 Receptor mAb; anti-integrin receptors mAb (MDX-OI8, CNTO 95); anti-IPIO Ulcerative Colitis mAb (MDX-1100); anti-LLY antibody; BMS-66513; anti-Mannose Receptor/hCGβ mAb (MDX-1307); anti-mesothelin dsFv-PE38 conjugate (CAT-5001); anti-PDImAb (MDX-1 106 (ONO-4538)); anti-PDGFRα antibody (IMC-3G3); anti-TGFβ mAb (GC-1008); anti-TRAIL Receptor-2 human mAb (HGS-ETR2); anti-TWEAK mAb; anti-VEGFR/Flt-1 mAb; anti-ZP3 mAb (HuMax-ZP3); NVS Antibody #1; and NVS Antibody #2.

Examples of antibodies suitable for the methods and pharmaceutical formulations include the antibodies shown in Table A. Other examples of suitable antibodies include abagovomab, abciximab, actoxumab, adalimumab, afelimomab, afutuzumab, alacizumab, alacizumab pegol, ald518, alemtuzumab, alemtuzumab, alirocumab, altinumab, altumomab, amatuximab, anatumomab mafenatox, anrukinzumab, apolizumab, arcitumomab, aselizumab, atlizumab, atorolimiumab, bapineuzumab, basiliximab, bavituximab, bectumomab, belimumab, benralizumab, bertilimumab, besilesomab, bevacizumab, bezlotoxumab, biciromab, bivatuzumab, bivatuzumab mertansine, blinatumomab, blosozumab, brentuximab vedotin, briakinumab, brodalumab, canakinumab, cantuzumab mertansine, cantuzumab mertansine, caplacizumab, capromab pendetide, carlumab, catumaxomab, cc49, cedelizumab, certolizumab pegol, cetuximab, citatuzumab bogatox, cixutumumab, clazakizumab, clenoliximab, clivatuzumab tetraxetan, conatumumab, cr6261, crenezumab, dacetuzumab, daclizumab, dalotuzumab, daratumumab, demcizumab, denosumab, detumomab, dorlimomab aritox, drozitumab, duligotumab, dupilumab, ecromeximab, eculizumab, edobacomab, edrecolomab, efalizumab, efungumab, elotuzumab, elsilimomab, enavatuzumab, enlimomab pegol, enokizumab, enokizumab, enoticumab, enoticumab, ensituximab, epitumomab cituxetan, epratuzumab, erenumab, erlizumab, ertumaxomab, etaracizumab, etrolizumab, evolocumab, exbivirumab, exbivirumab, fanolesomab, faralimomab, farletuzumab, fasinumab, fbta05, felvizumab, fezakinumab, ficlatuzumab, figitumumab, flanvotumab, fontolizumab, foralumab, foravirumab, fresolimumab, fulranumab, futuximab, galiximab, ganitumab, gantenerumab, gavilimomab, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, gevokizumab, girentuximab, glembatumumab vedotin, golimumab, gomiliximab, gs6624, ibalizumab, ibritumomab tiuxetan, icrucumab, igovomab, imciromab, i mgatuzumab, inclacumab, indatuximab ravtansine, infliximab, inolimomab, inotuzumab ozogamicin, intetumumab, ipilimumab, iratumumab, itolizumab, ixekizumab, keliximab, labetuzumab, lebrikizumab, lemalesomab, lerdelimumab, lexatumumab, libivirumab, ligelizumab, lintuzumab, lirilumab, lorvotuzumab mertansine, lucatumumab, lumiliximab, mapatumumab, maslimomab, matuzumab, mavrilimumab, mepolizumab, metelimumab, milatuzumab, minretumomab, mitumomab, mogamulizumab, morolimumab, motavizumab, moxetumomab pasudotox, muromonab-cd3, nacolomab tafenatox, namilumab, naptumomab estafenatox, narnatumab, natalizumab, nebacumab, necitumumab, nerelimomab, nesvacumab, nimotuzumab, nivolumab, nofetumomab merpentan, ocaratuzumab, ocrelizumab, odulimomab, ofatumumab, olaratumab, olokizumab, omalizumab, onartuzumab, oportuzumab monatox, oregovomab, orticumab, otelixizumab, oxelumab, ozanezumab, ozoralizumab, pagibaximab, palivizumab, palivizumab, panitumumab, panobacumab, parsatuzumab, pascolizumab, pateclizumab, patritumab, pemtumomab, perakizumab, pertuzumab, pexelizumab, pidilizumab, pintumomab, placulumab, ponezumab, priliximab, pritumumab, PRO 140, quilizumab, racotumomab, radretumab, rafivirumab, ramucirumab, ranibizumab, raxibacumab, regavirumab, reslizumab, rilotumumab, rituximab, robatumumab, roledumab, romosozumab, rontalizumab, rovelizumab, ruplizumab, samalizumab, sarilumab, satumomab pendetide, secukinumab, sevirumab, sibrotuzumab, sifalimumab, siltuximab, simtuzumab, siplizumab, sirukumab, solanezumab, solitomab, sonepcizumab, sontuzumab, stamulumab, sulesomab, suvizumab, tabalumab, tacatuzumab tetraxetan, tadocizumab, talizumab, tanezumab, taplitumomab paptox, tefibazumab, tefibazumab, telimomab aritox, telimomab aritox, tenatumomab, tenatumomab, teneliximab, teplizumab, teprotumumab, TGN1412, ticilimumab, tigatuzumab, tildrakizumab, TNX-650, tocilizumab, tocilizumab, toralizumab, tositumomab, tralokinumab, trastuzumab, TRBS07, tregalizumab, tremelimumab, tremelimumab, tucotuzumab celmoleukin, tuvirumab, ublituximab, urelumab, urtoxazumab, ustekinumab, vapaliximab, vatelizumab, vedolizumab, veltuzumab, vepalimomab, vesencumab, visilizumab, volociximab, vorsetuzumab mafodotin, votumumab, zalutumumab, zanolimumab, zatuximab, ziralimumab, and zolimomab aritox.

TABLE A Exemplary antibodies LC HC Target HC Type LC SEQ SEQ (informal name) (including allotypes) Type pl ID NO ID NO anti-amyloid IgG1 (f) (R; EM) Kappa 9.0 18 19 GMCSF (247) IgG2 Kappa 8.7 20 21 CGRPR IgG2 Lambda 8.6 22 23 RANKL IgG2 Kappa 8.6 24 25 Sclerostin (27H6) IgG2 Kappa 6.6 26 27 IL-1R1 IgG2 Kappa 7.4 28 29 Myostatin IgG1 (z) (K; EM) Kappa 8.7 30 31 B7RP1 IgG2 Kappa 7.7 32 33 Amyloid IgG1 (za) (K; DL) Kappa 8.7 34 35 GMCSF (3.112) IgG2 Kappa 8.8 36 37 CGRP (32H7) IgG2 Kappa 8.7 38 39 CGRP (3B6.2) IgG2 Lambda 8.6 40 41 PCSK9 (8A3.1) IgG2 Kappa 6.7 42 43 PCSK9 (492) IgG2 Kappa 6.9 44 45 CGRP IgG2 Lambda 8.8 46 47 Hepcidin IgG2 Lambda 7.3 48 49 TNFR p55) IgG2 Kappa 8.2 50 51 OX40L IgG2 Kappa 8.7 52 53 HGF IgG2 Kappa 8.1 54 55 GMCSF IgG2 Kappa 8.1 56 57 Glucagon R IgG2 Kappa 8.4 58 59 GMCSF (4.381) IgG2 Kappa 8.4 60 61 Sclerostin (13F3) IgG2 Kappa 7.8 62 63 CD-22 IgG1 (f) (R; EM) Kappa 8.8 64 65 INFgR IgG1 (za) (K; DL) Kappa 8.8 66 67 Ang2 IgG2 Kappa 7.4 68 69 TRAILR2 IgG1 (f) (R; EM) Kappa 8.7 70 71 EGFR IgG2 Kappa 6.8 72 73 IL-4R IgG2 Kappa 8.6 74 75 IL-15 IgG1 (f) (R; EM) Kappa 8.8 76 77 IGF1R IgG1 (za) (K; DL) Kappa 8.6 78 79 IL-17R IgG2 Kappa 8.6 80 81 Dkk1 (6.37.5) IgG2 Kappa 8.2 82 83 Sclerostin IgG2 Kappa 7.4 84 85 TSLP IgG2 Lambda 7.2 86 87 Dkk1 (11H10) IgG2 Kappa 8.2 88 89 PCSK9 IgG2 Lambda 8.1 90 91 GIPR (2G10.006) IgG1 (z) (K; EM) Kappa 8.1 92 93 Activin IgG2 Lambda 7.0 94 95 Sclerostin (2B8) IgG2 Lambda 6.7 96 97 Sclerostin IgG2 Kappa 6.8 98 99 c-fms IgG2 Kappa 6.6 100 101 α4β7 IgG2 Kappa 6.5 102 103 HC—antibody heavy chain; LC—antibody light chain.

“High protein formulation,” “high protein pharmaceutical formulation,” and the like means a formulation that has a protein concentration of about 100 mg/mL or greater, such as 100 mg/mL to about 1,000 mg/mL. Exemplary protein concentrations in the formulation can range from about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL, about 120 mg/mL to about 270 mg/mL, from about 140 mg/mL to about 255 mg/mL, from about 140 mg/mL to about 240 mg/mL, or from about 180 mg/mL to about 230 mg/mL, or alternatively from about 190 mg/mL to about 220 mg/mL. The concentration of protein depends on the end use of the pharmaceutical formulation and can be easily determined by a person of skill in the art. Particularly contemplated concentrations of protein are at least about 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, and 230 mg/mL and including all values in between.

As used herein, “pharmaceutical formulation” is a sterile composition of a pharmaceutically active drug, such as a biologically active protein, that is suitable for parenteral administration (including but not limited to, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, aerosolized, intrapulmonary, intranasal or intrathecal) to a patient in need thereof and includes only pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, diluents, and other additives deemed safe by the Federal Drug Administration or other foreign national authorities. Pharmaceutical formulations include liquid, e.g., aqueous, solutions that can be directly administered, and lyophilized powders which can be reconstituted into solutions by adding a diluent before administration. Specifically excluded from the scope of the term “pharmaceutical formulation” are compositions for topical administration to patients, compositions for oral ingestion, and compositions for parenteral feeding.

“Shelf life”, as used herein, means that the storage period during which an active ingredient such as a therapeutic protein in a pharmaceutical formulation has minimal degradation (e.g., not more than about 2-3% degradation) when the pharmaceutical formulation is stored under specified storage conditions, for example, 2-8° C. Techniques for assessing degradation vary depending upon the identity of the protein in the pharmaceutical formulation. Exemplary techniques include size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)-HPLC to detect, e.g., aggregation, reverse phase (RP)-HPLC to detect, e.g., protein fragmentation, ion exchange-HPLC to detect, e.g., changes in the charge of the protein, mass spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopy to detect protein conformational changes. All of these techniques can be used singly or in combination to assess the degradation of the protein in the pharmaceutical formulation and determine the shelf life of that formulation. Pharmaceutical formulations preferably exhibit not more than about 2 to about 3% increases in degradation (e.g., fragmentation, aggregation or unfolding) over two years when stored at 2-8° C.

As used herein, “stable” formulations of biologically active proteins are formulations that exhibit reduced aggregation and/or reduced loss of biological activity of at least 5% upon storage at 2-8° C. for at least 2 years compared with a control formula sample, or alternatively which exhibit reduced aggregation and/or reduced loss of biological activity under conditions of thermal stress, e.g., 52° C. for 7-8 days.

As used herein, “viscosity” is a fluid's resistance to flow, and can be measured in units of centipoise (cP) or milliPascal-second (mPa-s), where 1 cP=I mPa-s, at a given shear rate. Viscosity can be measured by using a viscometer, e.g., Brookfield Engineering Dial Reading Viscometer, model LVT (AMETEK Brookfield, Middleboro, Mass.). Viscosity can be measured using any other methods and in any other units known in the art (e.g., absolute, kinematic or dynamic viscosity), understanding that it is the percent reduction in viscosity afforded by use of the excipients that is important. Regardless of the method used to determine viscosity, the percent reduction in viscosity in excipient formulations versus control formulations will remain approximately the same at a given shear rate.

As used herein, a formulation containing an amount of an excipient effective to “reduce viscosity” (or a “viscosity-reducing” amount or concentration of such excipient) means that the viscosity of the formulation in its final form for administration (if a solution, or if a powder, upon reconstitution with the intended amount of diluent) is at least 5% less than the viscosity of an appropriate control formulation, such as those, for example, exemplified herein. Excipient-free control formulations might also be used but may not always be the most appropriate control formulation because such a formulation may not be implementable as a therapeutic formulation due to hypotonicity, for instance.

Similarly, a “reduced viscosity” formulation is a formulation that exhibits reduced viscosity compared to a control formulation.

“High viscosity” describes the viscosity of, for example, a pharmaceutical formulation that is difficult to handle, such as in manufacturing or packaging, and/or administering the pharmaceutical formulation to a subject (which can be device-dependent; for example, some devices are rated to deliver formulations having a viscosity of 8 cP or less, thus any viscosity above 8 cP would be considered to have a high viscosity for that particular application, while other devices can be rated to deliver formulations having a viscosity of 50 cP or less). In general, pharmaceutical formulations having a viscosity of at least about 10 cP, including for example, aleast about, in cP, 10, 11, 12, 14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100 or even greater.

Protein therapeutics often need to be given at high doses, but for injection, a smaller volume is often necessary which can result in increased viscosity of the solution because the protein therapeutic concentration is increased. When large doses of therapeutic protein are to be administered in a small volume of liquid (such as for injection), it is highly desirable to provide formulations with high concentrations of protein that do not exhibit the increased viscosity typically seen with such high protein concentrations.

High viscosity formulations are difficult to handle during manufacturing, including at the bulk and filling stages. High viscosity formulations are also difficult to draw into a syringe and inject, often necessitating use of lower gauge needles which can be unpleasant for the patient. The addition of NMP to solutions of biologically active protein unexpectedly reduced the viscosity of high concentration protein solutions.

“N-acetyl arginine” (NAR) means the molecule of formula 1.

The use of NMP permits a higher concentration of therapeutic proteins to be used in the formulation without a concomitant increase in viscosity. Thus, provided herein are methods for stabilizing or reducing viscosity of protein formulations by adding NMP in an amount effective to reduce viscosity. Provided herein are also reduced viscosity formulations of therapeutic proteins, including antibodies, containing effective amounts or concentrations of NMP. Also provided herein are methods of screening one or more formulations, each containing different concentrations of NMP to identify suitable or optimal concentrations that reduce viscosity. Further provided are methods of preparing a lyophilized powder from reduced-viscosity solution formulations described herein, and methods of reconstituting the lyophilized powders described herein via addition of a sterile diluent. In any of these aspects, additional excipients can be included, such as arginine, lysine, NAR, and mixtures thereof.

Thus provided herein are pharmaceutical formulations containing biologically active polypeptides and viscosity-reducing concentrations of NMP. Furthermore, such pharmaceutical formulations can further comprise additional excipients, such as arginine, lysine, NAR, and mixtures thereof. The reduction in viscosity is at least about 5%, such as about at least 5%-90% versus control formulations. In one embodiment the reduction in viscosity ranges from about 10-80%. In other exemplary embodiments, the reduction in viscosity is at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80% or at least 85%.

Formulations can optionally include pharmaceutically acceptable salts, buffers, surfactants, other excipients, carriers, diluents, and/or other formulation agents.

Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable buffers include acetate (e.g., sodium acetate), succinate (such as sodium succinate), glutamic acid, glutamate, gluconate or other organic acid buffers. Exemplary buffer concentration can be from about 1 mM to about 100 mM, or from about 5 mM to about 50 mM, depending, for example, on the buffer and the desired tonicity (e.g., isotonic, hypertonic or hypotonic) of the formulation. Exemplary pH's include from about 4.0 to about 6.0, or from about 4.8 to about 5.5, or about 5.0, or greater than about 4.5, greater than about 4.8, or greater than about 5.0, or greater than about 5.5.

Suitable diluents, other excipients, or carriers and other agents include, but are not limited to, antioxidants, coloring, flavoring and diluting agents, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, solvents, fillers, bulking agents, buffers, vehicles, diluents and/or pharmaceutical adjuvants. For example, a suitable vehicle can be, physiological saline solution, citrate buffered saline, or artificial CSF, possibly supplemented with other materials common in compositions for parenteral administration. Neutral buffered saline or saline mixed with serum albumin are further exemplary vehicles. Those skilled in the art readily recognize a variety of buffers that can be used in the compositions, and dosage forms disclosed herein. Typical buffers include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable weak acids, weak bases, or mixtures thereof. Exemplary buffer components are water soluble materials such as phosphoric acid, tartaric acids, lactic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or salts thereof. Exemplary salts include inorganic and organic acids, or bases such as metals or amines, in exemplary concentrations such as about 50-200 mM, or 100-200 mM, or about 100 mM, or about 150 mM.

Other excipients or stabilizers can also be included, for example, sugars (e.g., sucrose, glucose, trehalose, fructose, xylose, mannitose, fucose), polyols (e.g., glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol, glycol, inositol), amino acids or amino acid derivatives (e.g., arginine, proline, histindine, etc.) or surfactants (e.g., polysorbate, including polysorbate 20, or polysorbate 80, or poloxamer, including poloxamer 188, or PLURONIC® F-68, or lecithin or protamine sulfate). Exemplary concentrations of surfactant can range to at least about 0.001%, such as, for example, from about 0.001% to about 1.0%, or from about 0.002% to about 1.0%, or about 0.05 to 0.2%. Preservatives can also be included, such as benzyl alcohol, phenol, m-cresol, chlorobutanol or benzethonium CI, e.g., at concentrations ranging from about 0.1% to about 2%, or from about 0.5% to about 1%.

One or more other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients or stabilizers such as those described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 21st edition, Osol, A. Ed. (2005) can be included in the formulation provided that they do not adversely affect the desired characteristics of the formulation.

The concentration of the therapeutic protein, such as an antibody, in the formulation depends on the end use of the pharmaceutical formulation and can be easily determined by a person of skill in the art.

Therapeutic proteins that are antagonists are frequently administered at higher concentrations than those that are agonists. Particularly contemplated high concentrations of therapeutic proteins (without taking into account the weight of chemical modifications such as pegylation), including antibodies, are at least about 100, at least about 110, at least about 120, at least about 130, at least about 140, at least about 150, at least about 175, at least about 180, at least about 185, at least about 190, at least about 195, at least about 200, at least about 210, at least about 220, at least about 230, at least about 240, at least about 250, or at least about 300 mg/mL, and/or less than about 200, less than about 210, less than about 220, less than about 230, less than about 240, or less than about 250 mg/mL. Exemplary high concentrations of therapeutic proteins, such as antibodies, in the formulation can range from at least about 100 mg/mL to about 1000 mg/mL. Additionally, high concentrations of therapeutic proteins, such as antibodies, in the formulations can range from at least about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL. Other protein concentrations (without taking into account the weight of chemical modifications such as PEGylation), are also contemplated, e.g., at least about 1, at least about 5, at least about 10, at least about 20, at least about 30, at least about 35, at least about 40, at least about 45, at least about 50, at least about 55, at least about 60, at least about 65 or at least about 70 mg/mL. Disclosed herein are formulations and methods in which the concentration of therapeutic protein results in a viscosity of at least 6, at least about 8, at least about 10, at least about 12, at least about 14, at least about 16, at least about 18, at least about 20, at least about 25, at least about 30, at least about 35 cP or higher and the inclusion of NMP results in the reduction of the viscosity by about 5% or greater. For example, a solution with a viscosity of about 20 cP may be difficult to inject with a standard 27 gauge needle. All references to mg/mL concentration of therapeutic protein, weight of therapeutic protein (mg) or molecular weight of therapeutic protein (kD) herein mean the respective weight of the proteinaceous part of the therapeutic protein, excluding any non-proteinaceous modifications.

Disclosed herein are methods of reducing the viscosity of and/or improving stability of a liquid pharmaceutical formulation of a therapeutic protein, by combining the therapeutic protein and a viscosity-reducing amount of NMP.

In exemplary embodiments, the therapeutic protein is at a high protein concentration as described above. In some embodiments, the reduction in viscosity is at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80% or at least about 85% compared to control formulations

In another aspect, provided herein are liquid solutions comprising a therapeutic protein and NMP wherein the formulations exhibit reduced viscosity relative to control formulations. In exemplary embodiments, the therapeutic protein is at a high protein concentration as described above. In some embodiments, NMP is present at a viscosity-reducing (weight:volume) concentration. NMP can be used at concentrations up to its solubility limit. Such solutions can further comprise a sugar or other polyol such as sucrose or sorbitol, in an amount effective to further improve stability, reduce aggregation, and/or make the formulation isotonic, without significantly increasing viscosity.

In exemplary embodiments, the concentration of NMP is at least about 50 mM to about 700 mM, or at least about 100 mM to about 450 mM, or at least about 300 mM to about 425 mM. In exemplary embodiments the concentration of NMP is at least about 50, at least about 100, at least about 150, at least about 200, at least about 250, at least about 300, at least about 350, at least about 400, or at least about 425 mM. Other exemplary embodiments include concentrations of excipients effective to make the formulation isotonic, without significantly increasing viscosity. Exemplary concentrations include those at least about 100 mM or greater, in further embodiments the amounts are at least about 300 mM or greater, in still further embodiments the amounts are at least about 425 mM or greater.

Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments wherein NMP and NAR are both present, the concentration of NMP is at least about 50 mM to about 700 mM, or at least about 100 mM to about 450 mM, or at least about 300 mM to about 425 mM. The concentration of NAR is at least about 90-200 mM, or at least about 100-190 mM, or at least about 110-180 nM, or at least about 120-170 mM, or at least about 130-160 mM, or at least about 140-150 mM, such as 155 mM. In exemplary embodiments the concentration of NMP is at least about 50, at least about 100, at least about 150, at least about 200, at least about 250, at least about 300, at least about 350, at least about 400, or at least about 425 mM. In exemplary embodiments, the concentration of NAR is at least about 90 mM, or at least about 100 mM, or at least about 110 mM, or at least about 120 mM, or at least about 130 mM, or at least about 140 mM, or at least about 150 mM, or at least about 155 mM, or at least about 160 mM, or at least about 170 mM, or at least about 180 mM, or at least about 190 mM, or at least about 200 mM. Other exemplary embodiments include concentrations of excipients effective to make the formulation isotonic, without significantly increasing viscosity. Exemplary concentrations include those at least about 100 mM or greater, in further embodiments the amounts are at least about 300 mM or greater, in still further embodiments the amounts are at least about 425 mM or greater.

In exemplary embodiments, NMP is present at a concentration of at least about 50 mM, such as, for example, 50 mM, about 60 mM, about 70 mM, about 80 mM, about 90 mM, about 100 mM, about 110 mM, about 120 mM, about 130 mM, about 140 mM, about 150 mM, about 160 mM, about 170 mM, about 180 mM, about 190 mM, about 200 mM, about 250 mM, about 275 mM, about 300 mM, about 325 mM, about 350 mM, about 375 mM, about 400 mM, about 425 mM, about 450 mM, about 475 mM, about 500 mM, about 525 mM, about 550 mM, about 575 mM, about 600 mM, about 625 mM, about 650 mM, about 675 mM, or about 700 mM. Preferred ranges of NMP include, but are not limited to, 50 mM to 600 mM, 50 mM to 150 mM, 50 mM to 200 mM, and 370-600 mM.

In exemplary embodiments, the excipients are both NMP and NAR, wherein NMP has a concentration of at last about 50 mM, such as, for example, about 50 mM, about 60 mM, about 70 mM, about 80 mM, about 90 mM, about 100 mM, about 110 mM, about 120 mM, about 130 mM, about 140 mM, about 150 mM, about 160 mM, about 170 mM, about 180 mM, about 190 mM, about 200 mM, about 250 mM, about 275 mM, about 300 mM, about 325 mM, about 350 mM, about 375 mM, about 400 mM, about 425 mM, about 450 mM, about 475 mM, about 500 mM, about 525 mM, about 550 mM, about 575 mM, about 600 mM, about 625 mM, about 650 mM, about 675 mM, or about 700 mM. In such embodiments, the concentration of NAR is at least about 90 mM, such as, for example, about 90 mM, about 100 mM, about 110 mM, about 120 mM, about 130 mM, about 140 mM, about 150 mM, about 155 mM, about 160 mM, about 170 mM, about 180 mM, about 190 mM, or about 200 mM. In one exemplary embodiment, the concentration of NMP is 100 mM and NAR is 155 mM.

In another aspect, provided herein are lyophilized protein formulations comprising a therapeutic protein NMP, wherein upon reconstitution with the recommended amount of diluent, the formulations exhibit reduced viscosity relative to control formulations. In exemplary embodiments, the therapeutic protein is at a high protein concentration as described above. In some embodiments, NMP is present at an amount effective to reduce viscosity upon reconstitution with diluent (weight:weight concentration). Such formulations can further comprise a sugar or other polyol such as sucrose or sorbitol, in an amount effective to further improve stability, reduce aggregation, and/or make the formulation isotonic, without significantly increasing viscosity.

In exemplary embodiments of these formulations, the concentration of NMP is at least about 1 μg/mg therapeutic protein, up to about 1.0 mg/mg therapeutic protein. In some embodiments, the concentration of NMP is at least about 1, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 or 550 μg/mg therapeutic protein. In other exemplary embodiments, the concentration of NMP is up to about 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950 or 1000 μg/mg therapeutic protein.

Provided herein are methods for stabilizing a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising an antibody or fragment thereof at a concentration of about 100 mg/mL to about 1000 mg/mL, such as, for example, about 100 mg/L to about 300 mg/mL (e.g., about 100 mg/mL, about 110 mg/mL, about 120 mg/mL, about 130 mg/mL, about 140 mg/mL, about 150 mg/mL, about 160 mg/mL, about 170 mg/mL, about 180 mg/mL, about 190 mg/mL, about 200 mg/mL, about 210 mg/mL, about 220 mg/mL, about 230 mg/mL, about 240 mg/mL, about 250 mg/mL, about 260 mg/mL, about 270 mg/mL, about 280 mg/mL, about 290 mg/mL, about 300 mg/mL). In exemplary aspects, the liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprises N-methyl pyrrolidone and the method comprises the step of combining the reduced viscosity liquid pharmaceutical formulation with a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, PLURONIC® F-68, lecithin, and protamine sulfate. In exemplary aspects, the liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprises a combination of excipients comprising N-methyl pyrrolidone and N-acetyl arginine and the method comprises the step of combining the reduced viscosity liquid pharmaceutical formulation with a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, PLURONIC® F-68, lecithin, and protamine sulfate. Accordingly, provided herein are methods for stabilizing a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising an antibody or fragment thereof at a concentration of at least 140 mg/mL and N-methyl pyrrolidone. In exemplary aspects, the method comprises the step of combining the reduced viscosity liquid pharmaceutical formulation with a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, PLURONIC® F-68, lecithin, and protamine sulfate. Also, provided herein are methods for stabilizing a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising an antibody or fragment thereof at a concentration of at least 140 mg/mL and a combination of excipients comprising N-methyl pyrrolidone and N-acetyl arginine. In exemplary aspects, the method comprises the step of combining the reduced viscosity liquid pharmaceutical formulation with a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, PLURONIC® F-68, lecithin, and protamine sulfate.

The term “stabilizer” as used herein refers to any agent that helps pharmaceutical formulations maintain the desirable properties of the product (e.g., therapeutic protein) until it is consumed by the end-user. In exemplary aspects, the stabilizer aids in the prevention of protein aggregate formation and/or of protein degradation products. In exemplary aspects, the stabilizer is any agent that permits the formulation to exhibit a shelf-life of a desired length of time at a desired temperature. In exemplary aspects, the stabilizer is selected from of polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, PLURONIC® F-68, lecithin, and protamine sulfate.

In exemplary aspects, the method stabilizes the liquid pharmaceutical formulation such that little to no changes in stability is observed after storage for a given time period at a given temperature, e.g., a freezing temperature, a refrigeration temperature, room temperature. In exemplary aspects, the method stabilizes the liquid pharmaceutical formulation such that little to no changes in stability is observed after storage for a given time period at a temperature within about −50° C. to about 30° C., optionally, about −30° C., 2° C. to about 8° C., or about 25° C. In exemplary instances, the method stabilizes the liquid pharmaceutical formulation such that little to no changes in stability is observed after storage at one of the above temperatures for a time period of at least about 1 month, at least about 2 months, at least about 3 months, at least about 4 months, at least about 5 months, or at least about 6 months. In exemplary instances, the method stabilizes the liquid pharmaceutical formulation such that little to no changes in stability is observed after storage at one of the above temperatures for a time period greater than about 6 months, e.g., about 7 months or longer, about 8 months or longer, about 9 months or longer, about 10 months or longer, about 11 months or longer, about 12 months or longer. In exemplary instances, the method stabilizes the liquid pharmaceutical formulation such that little to no changes in stability is observed after storage at one of the above temperatures for a time period of at least 1 year. In exemplary aspects, the methods stabilize the liquid pharmaceutical formulation to withstand one or more stress conditions, e.g., elevated temperature conditions, transportation conditions (e.g., intermittent periods of agitation), shear stress, freeze-thaw conditions, and the like. Stress conditions are described herein at, e.g., Example 3.

Stability can be assessed in many ways, including monitoring conformational change over a range of temperatures (thermostability) and/or time periods (shelf-life) and/or after exposure to stressful handling situations (e.g., physical shaking). Stability of formulations containing varying concentrations of formulation components can be measured using a variety of methods. For example, the amount of protein aggregation can be measured by visual observation of turbidity, by measuring absorbance at a specific wavelength, by size exclusion chromatography (in which aggregates of a protein will elute in different fractions compared to the protein in its native active state), HPLC, or other chromatographic methods. Other methods of measuring conformational change can be used, including using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), e.g., to determine the temperature of denaturation, or circular dichroism (CD), which measures the molar ellipticity of the protein. Fluorescence can also be used to analyze the composition. Fluorescence encompasses the release or absorption of energy in the form of light or heat, and changes in the polar properties of light. Fluorescence emission can be intrinsic to a protein or can be due to a fluorescence reporter molecule. For example, 8-Anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid ANS is a fluorescent probe that binds to the hydrophobic pockets of partially unfolded proteins. As the concentration of unfolded protein increases, the number of hydrophobic pockets increases and subsequently the concentration of ANS that can bind increases. This increase in ANS binding can be monitored by detection of the fluorescence signal of a protein sample. Other means for measuring stability can be used and are well known to persons of skill in the art.

In exemplary aspects, upon carrying out the methods provided herein, the liquid pharmaceutical formulation is stabilized, such that storage for time periods and/or at temperature and/or under stress conditions, as described above, alters the amount of protein degradation or the amount of protein aggregation by not more than about 15%, not more than about 10%, or not more than about 5%, relative to the amounts before storage.

In yet another embodiment, provided herein are methods of preventing self-association of proteins in liquid formulations by using NMP as an excipient in any of the amounts or concentrations described herein. Furthermore, such NMP-containing liquid formulations can further comprise arginine, lysine, NAR, and mixtures thereof. Formulations with improved stability (e.g., reduced aggregation) and shelf-life are also provided.

Also provided herein are kits comprising a liquid protein formulation as provided herein, and instructions for its administration, optionally with a container, syringe and/or other administration device. Further provided herein are kits comprising a lyophilized protein formulation as provided herein, optionally in a container, and instructions for its reconstitution and administration, optionally with a vial of sterile diluent, and optionally with a syringe or other administration device. Exemplary containers include vials, tubes, bottles, single or multi-chambered pre-filled syringes, or cartridges. Exemplary administration devices include syringes, with or without needles, infusion pumps, jet injectors, pen devices, transdermal injectors, or other needle-free injector, or an aerosolization device for nasal or pulmonary delivery.

In another aspect, a method is provided for screening for a viscosity-reducing concentration of NMP comprising the steps of: (1) assessing the viscosity of a first solution comprising a first concentration of NMP and a therapeutic protein, such as an antibody, (2) assessing the viscosity of a second solution comprising a different second concentration of NMP and the therapeutic protein, and (3) determining that the first concentration of NMP is more viscosity-reducing than the second concentration of NMP if the first solution is less viscous. Viscosity can be determined, e.g., using an Aries ARG2 Rheometer or a Brookfield RV-DVIII Rheometer which is stabilized at 25° C. with a circulating temperature bath. Five hundred microliters of sample is pipetted into the rheometer and the rpm adjusted for percentage torque values between 10-80%. The samples are allowed to stabilize at that range and data points are collected.

Similar methods are provided for screening for an aggregation-reducing or stabilizing concentration of NMP.

The following examples are to aid the understanding of the claimed subject matter, but are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. All citations throughout the disclosure are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Materials and Methods

Materials

Evolocumab (IgG2) concentrations varied from 120 to 225 mg/mL. Protein concentrations were determined by absorbance at 280 nm using an extinction coefficient of 1.48 M⁻¹ cm for evolocumab. Evolocumab drug substance was formulated in 10 mM acetate, pH5.2, 220 mM proline, 0.08% polysorbate 80.

Amino acids were reagent grade and purchased from Sigma Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.). β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), dithiothreitol (DTT), iodoacetamide (IAA), calcium chloride and sodium acetate were acquired from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.). GMP N-Methyl pyrrolidone was acquired from Ashland (Covington, Ky.). Glacial acetic acid, acetonitrile, trifluoroacetic acid and hydrochloric acid were acquired from JT Baker (Center Valley, Pa.). The sodium dodecyl sulfate molecular weight (SDS-MW) analysis kit was acquired from Beckman Coulter (Brea, Calif.). Trypsin of sequencing grade was purchased from Promega (Madison, Wis.) and stored at −20° C.

HYPAK SCF™ sterile 2.25 mL syringes and stoppers were obtained from (Becton Dickinson and Company (BD; Franklin Lakes, N.J.).

Preparation of Stability Samples and Ultrafiltration (UF)/Diafiltration (DF) Methodology

Drug substance was buffer exchanged into formulation buffer with a bench scale Millipore TFF UF/DF system using a Millipore PELLICON® XL filter, 50 cm² size (regenerated cellulose, 30,000 molecular weight cut-off) membrane (EMD Millipore, Billerica, Mass.). The diafiltration step was performed until at least eight volumes of diafiltration buffer were exchanged. Once the diafiltration step was completed, the UF/DF system was switched to ultrafiltration mode and each formulation was concentrated to the target concentration levels.

Formulations were buffered with 10 mM acetate, pH 5.0. NMP was the main excipient used in the study and its concentrations varied from 70-900 mM. Post dialysis, polysorbate 80 or PLURONIC® F-68 was added to formulations as dictated by screening. Evolcumab stability samples were incubated at the controlled temperatures of −30° C., 4° C., 25° C. and 37° C. Incubation time varied between experiments.

Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Large scale freeze-thaw was performed immediately after UF DF protein preparation. Freeze-thaw was carried out in 250 mL polypropylene containers. Protein volume varied between 125-200 mL. Each 24 hour freeze cycle was followed by room temperature thaw. Three cycles were carried out prior to material fill into 3 cc vials.

Viscosity

Viscosity was measured using m-VROC™ rheometer (San Ramon, Calif.) with a circulating water bath at constant 25° C. A 500 μL glass syringe was loaded with approximately 450 μL of sample and was locked into place for extrusion at shear rate of 1000/s. The viscosity reading was generated by RheoSense software (RhoeSense, San Ramon, Calif.). Measurements are shown in centipoise and are an average of 3 true replicate readings resulting from three independent readings.

Confirmatory readings were performed over a range of 1-1000/s, a MCR300 rheometer (Anton PAAR, Ashland, Va.) equipped with a CP50-1 cone/plate measuring system. Approximately 0.6 mL of samples were loaded onto the lower measuring plate and allowed to come to thermal equilibrium at 25° C. A solvent trap was used to prevent solvent evaporation. 700 s⁻¹ to 1000 s⁻¹ values were averaged and reported for each sample measured due to viscosity being relatively independent of shear rates in this range.

It was determined that the two rheometers generated comparable data sets, a finding that has been previously reported by others. Due to ease of use and lower volume requirements, most data was generated using the m-VROC™ rheometer.

Concentration

A 40 μL aliquot of each sample was used to measure protein concentration via SoloVPE instrument (C Technologies Inc., Bridgewater, N.Y.) interfaced with a Varian CARY® 50 Bio UV/Visible Spectrometer (Varian Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.). Sample dilution was not necessary with this instrumental method where even high protein concentration samples can be measured directly. Measurements are shown in mg/mL.

Size-Exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLC)

Evolocumab analysis was performed using a G3000SWxl Column, 7.8 mm ID×30 cm, 5 μm particle and 250 Å pore column (Tosoh Corp, Grove City, Ohio). Isocratic elution with 100 mM sodium phosphate, 250 mM NaCl, pH 6.9 was performed at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min for 37 minutes. Autosampler temperature was set to 4° C. Column temperature was maintained at 25° C. Protein elution was monitored at 280 nm and occurred at a retention time of approximately 16 minutes.

Reduced and Non-Reduced CE-SDS

Reduced capillary electrophoresis with sodium dodecyl sulfate (rCE-SDS) was performed by incubating samples in a 0.5% SDS, 50 mM Tris, pH 9.0 buffer with 0.5% β-ME for 10 minutes at 70° C. Following incubation, samples were centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 2 minutes and injected onto a 30-cm bare fused silica capillary with a 20-cm effective length and a 50 μm inner diameter using electrokinetic injection. Separation was performed using CE-SDS gel (Beckman Coulter, Brea, Calif.) and 15 kV effective voltage. Detection was performed at 220 nm by UV absorbance.

Non-reducing solution was prepared by mixing 100 μL 140 mM NEM with 1,900 μL non-reducing sample buffer composed of 10-60 mM sodium phosphate, 2% SDS, pH 6.5. Larger volumes of non-reducing sample buffer were generated by keeping the ratio of reagents constant. Incubation was set at 60° C. for 5 minutes. Final concentrations in the incubated sample were protein, 1.0 mg/mL; NEM, 4.7 mM; and SDS, 1.3%.

CEX

Evolocumab analysis was performed using a ProPac™ WCX-10, 4×250 mm (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, Mass.). Sample elution was performed at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Autosampler temperature was set to 4° C. Column temperature was maintained at 30° C. Mobile phase A was composed of 20 mM MES, at pH 6.0±0.05; mobile phase B was composed of 20 mM MES, 0.5M NaCl at pH 6.0±0.05. Sample was loaded to a pre-equilibrated column at 0% mobile phase B. The ramp of 0-30% took place over a period of 20 minutes, followed by 8 minute wash step at 100% mobile phase B and re-equilibration of the column to initial conditions for a period of 8 minutes. Protein elution was monitored at 280 nm and occurred at a retention time of approximately 23 minutes.

Trypsin Mapping

Reduction, Alkylation and Trypsin Digestion:

Approximately 1 mg of evolocumab was denatured with 6 M guanidine HCl, 0.25 M Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA, at pH 7.5. Twenty microliters of 0.5 M dithiothreitol (DTT) was added to the solution and the reaction mixture was placed at 37° C. for 40 min. After the sample was cooled to room temperature, 24 μl of 0.5 M iodoacetamide (IAA) was added and the sample was incubated at room temperature in the dark for 30 min. Ten microliters of 0.5 M DTT was added to the samples in order to terminate the alkylation reaction. Approximately 500 μL of reduced and alkylated material was buffer exchanged with 750 μl of 0.1 M Tris-HCl to a final concentration of 1 mg/mL of evolocumab using a NAP™-5 column (Amersham BioSciences, Uppsala, Sweden) equilibrated with 10 mL of 50 mM Tris, 1 mM CaCl₂, pH 7.0. Trypsin digestion was performed for 4.5 h at 37° C. using an enzyme:protein ratio of 1:55. The digests were then refrigerated at 4° C. for analysis.

HPLC Separation of Digested Peptides and Mass Spectrometry (MS) Detection and Analysis.

The reduced evolocumab was analyzed using an Agilent 1100 HPLC unit equipped with a diode-array detector, autosampler, micro flow cell and temperature controlled column compartment (Agilent, Palo Alto, Calif., USA). Autosampler temperature was set to 4° C. Column was heated at 45° C. to enhance separation. Mobile phase A consisted of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water and mobile phase B consisted of 95% acetonitrile, 5% H₂O and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Separation was performed on a Varian Polaris™ C18-A 5 micron column (PN A2000-250X020). The column was equilibrated at 2% solvent B. Two minutes after sample injection the concentration of buffer B was increased to 22% over 38 min followed by a linear gradient of 22% to 42% B over 100 min. The column was re-equilibrated by ramping up buffer B to 100% over 5 min, 5 min at 100% B, dropping down to 2% B over 1 min followed by 15 min at 2% B. UV absorption was monitored at 214 nm.

Mass spectrometry was performed on a Bruker ESI-MSD. The ESI-MSD mass spectrometer was set to run in positive ion mode with a nebulizer pressure of 40 psi, dry gas flow of 8 L/min, dry gas temperature of 350° C., and m/z range of 50-2200 m/z. The deconvolution of electrospray ionization mass spectra was performed using QuantAnalysis.

NMP Quantitation Method

Samples were separated using Luna C8 column (150×2.1 mm, 5 pm particle size, 100 A, Phenomenex, Torrance, Calif.). Mobile phase A was 0.05% TFA in water, mobile phase B was acetonitrile. The gradient profile began by holding the mobile phase composition for 8 min at 85:15 (A:B), followed by a linear gradient to 15:85 for over 1 min. The composition was held at 15:85 for 5 min, then returned in 1 min to 85:15 and equilibrated for at least 8 min before the next injection. The total mobile phase flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and both mobile phases were filtered and degassed before use. Column temperature was maintained at 40° C. The injection volume was 100 μL for both samples and standards. The detector wavelength was 220 nm. Samples and standards were diluted prior to injection. Standard curves were generated for each set of unknowns tested within a sequence.

Example 2 Viscosity Profiles Using Organic Solvents

A formulation of evolocumab that utilized isotonic levels of proline was compared against a number of alternate formulations containing arginine and polar solvents DMA, DMSO, and NMP. As shown in FIG. 1A, the arginine containing formulation was significantly less viscous than proline based formulation. At approximately 1000 mM levels DMA, DMSO and NMP all decreased evolocumab viscosities more effectively than amino acid formulations. Among the polar solvents tested, NMP was most effective in lowering evolocumab viscosity. While 1000 mM polar solvent concentrations resulted in highly hyperosmotic solutions, 340 mM NMP resulted in a formulation that is isotonic and still marks a distinctly decreased viscosity profile of evolocumab. Titration studies showed that the viscosity of evolocumab decreased sharply with increasing concentrations of NMP up to 700 mM; above 700 mM the viscosity of evolocumab appeared to reach a plateau and was nearly independent further addition of solvent (FIG. 1B).

VP-DSC experiments showed that increasing levels of NMP in solution cause a decrease in protein unfolding temperature (Tm) for both domains of evolocumab. No notable changes in the enthalpy of unfolding (delta H) were noted with increase of NMP in solution. Thus, while NMP is a parenterally approved excipient, lowering levels of NMP in the formulation can be advantageous as it is likely to result in a more stable protein profile. Whihle there is an indication that polar solvents reduce solution viscosity through hydrophobic solvation (T. J. Kamerzell, et al., Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 102:1182-1193 (2013)), arginine has been suggested to decrease viscosity by weakening intra-protein electrostatic interactions (N. Inoue, et al. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering. 117(5):539-543 (2014)). It was contemplated that a combination of excipients that work through different molecular mechanisms might result in still further viscosity reduction. FIG. 2 shows that a combination arginine and NMP leads to evolocumab viscosity curve that is very similar to formulation containing higher levels of NMP as a sole excipient. Further advantages of having this combination formulation can be a potentially improved stability profile due to presence of arginine (S. Yadav et al., J. Pharm. Sci. 99:1152-1168 (2010); T. Arakawa, et al., Biophys. Chem. 127: 1-8 (2007); H. Hamada, et al., Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 10: 400-407 (2009); M. Ishibashi, et al., Protein Expr. Purif. 42:1-6 (2005); K. Tsumoto, et al., Protein Pept. Lett. 12: 6130-619 (2005))).

Example 3 Antibody Stability in NMP-Based Formulations

While viscosity lowering effects are paramount to a design of a high concentration protein formulation, protein stability must also be considered. To address this issue, the effects of NMP was evaluated on evolocumab quiescent storage stability in liquid and frozen state, stability during transport simulation and large scale freeze thaw cycles as well as for potential interactions with pre-filled syringes.

Evolocumab was originally formulated in 10 mM acetate, pH 5.0, 340 mM NMP, and 0.01% polysorbate 80 at 210 mg/mL. Under these conditions, evolocumab showed increased levels of aggregation at elevated temperatures. At 210 mg/mL evolocumab aggregation rates at 25 C in NMP formulation were 10 times higher than those observed at 140 mg/mL evolocumab in proline based formulation. While some of this is likely due to increased protein concentration, NMP was contributing to increased aggregation rates. To mitigate the high aggregation rates observed under these conditions, formulation screening was performed. The additional excipient screening was limited to parenterally approved compounds of high molecular weight as those have minimal additional contribution to solution osmolality. The compounds also needed to not raise the final solution viscosity.

PEG 3350, PEG4000, lethicin, protamine sulfate, and PLURONIC® F-68 were evaluated. While lethicin and protamine sulfate showed improved evolocumab stability and did not increase viscosity, these compounds exhibited solubility issues upon freeze thaw cycles. PLURONIC® F-68 met all the selection criteria of improving evolocumab stability at elevated temperatures, having minimal contribution to osmolality and no negative impact on stability.

Evolocumab formulated in 10 mM acetate, pH 5.0, 340 mM NMP, 0.1% PLURONIC® F-68 was subjected to three cycles of large-scale freeze-thaw at −30° C. followed by transportation simulation and long term storage at 2-8° C., at elevated temperatures and in frozen state. Concentration of evolocumab to 210 mg/mL resulted in lower main peak by SEC however no changes were noted in the initial levels of main peak by CEX when compared with frozen control at 140 mg/mL.

Table 1 summarizes evolocumab stability after the above mentioned stress conditions in 3 cc glass vials. Upon completion of the freeze-thaw cycles, evolocumab showed no change in stability profile by any of the assays. Transportation stress resulted in 0.3% main peak loss by SEC. After six months at 2-8° C. evolocumab showed no physical or chemical degradation, no particulation and retained full activity by potency assay.

TABLE 1 Evolocumab liquid and frozen stability in 10 mM acetate, 340 mM NMP, 0.1% PLURONIC ® F-68, pH 5.0 Quiescent stability data is based on 6 months of storage. Transportation Stability profile Stability profile Stability profile Assay Large Scale FT stress (2-8° C.) (−30° C.) (25° C.) SEC no change 0.3% main peak no change 0.1% main peak 0.6% main peak loss loss/month loss/month WCX no change 0.8% main peak loss/month Peptide map no change NA (multiple sites) rCE-SDS no change MFI no change Visual no particulation Potency Full potency NA

TABLE 2 Comparison of liquid and frozen stability in NMP based and amino acid-based formulations reported as percent per month losses 10 mM acetate, pH 5.0, 10 mM acetate, pH 5.0, 70 mM NMP, 130 mM 10 mM acetate, pH 5.0, 340 mM NMP, 0.1% arginine, 0.01% 220 mM proline, 0.01% pluronic F68 polysorbate 80 polysorbate 80 (210 mg/mL) (210 mg/mL) (140 mg/mL) Assay SEC CEX SEC CEX SEC CEX   37° C. 2.9 4.0 2.8 4.0 2.9 7.9   25° C. 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.9    4° C. 0 0 0 0 0 0 −30° C. 0.1 0 0 0 0 0

Aggregation rates at 25° C. were higher than those observed in the proline based 140 mg/mL formulation (Tables 1 and 2). Concentration dependent increase in aggregation rate is known to occur and is not unexpected. It is interesting to note that deamidation rates in NMP based formulation were lower at 37° C. than those observed in proline formulation under the same conditions (Table 2). This dynamic is likely due deamidation rates being typically lower in more viscous samples as previously reported by Li et al (J. Phys. Chem. B. 117(21):6373-84 (2013)).

Under −30° C. storage conditions, evolocumab showed 0.1% main peak loss per month by SEC but no chemical degradation, no participation and retention of full activity by potency assay. The data suggested that the NMP based formulation might be more suitable for liquid evolocumab storage.

Evolocumab's stability profile formulated under the same conditions was also monitored during quiescent storage in 2.25 mL stacked needle pre-filled syringes. After 5 months of storage at 2-8° C., the stability profile mimicked data reported for vial based storage.

A combination formulation using arginine and NMP (10 mM acetate, pH 5.0, 130 mM arginine, 70 mM NMP, 0.01% polysorbate 80) was also evaluated using the same stress conditions as described above. Initial data showed no stability profile changes after large scale freeze-thaw cycles or transportation stress. Furthermore after two months of storage under 2-8° C. and −30° C. conditions, evolocumab showed no physical or chemical degradation, no participation and retained full activity by potency assay. Aggregation rates at 25° C. and 37° C. were similar to those observed in the 340 mM NMP formulation (Table 2). The data suggests that a combination of arginine and NMP leads to improved frozen evolocumab stability as compared to the formulations that include NMP only. Because arginine NMP formulation has a viscosity profile very similar to 340 mM NMP formulation, it is a more promising overall candidate for evolocumab formulation.

Example 4 Viscosity Profile Using Lysine

FIG. 3 describes the behavior of evolocumab viscosity as a function of the concentration of a few different excipients investigated. Evolocumab in proline (“x”) could not be measured beyond 170 mg/mL due to gelation of the protein. The squares show the increase in viscosity of evolocumab as a function of protein concentration for a formulation containing 10 mM sodium phosphate, 89 mM lysine at pH 6.2. At 192 mg/mL, the viscosity was >70 cP. This solution was divided into two parts. To one part, lysine was spiked in to achieve increments of 30 mM final concentration. To another part, buffer was added without lysine. It was seen that the buffer arm (triangles) caused a viscosity decrease along the same viscosity curve. However, when additional lysine was added, it dropped the viscosity much more than just a dilution with buffer. Specifically, addition of lysine to go from 89 mM to ^(˜)120 mM dropped the viscosity from ^(˜)75 cP to ^(˜)30 cP while with just addition of buffer without lysine the viscosity drop was ^(˜)75 cP to ^(˜)60 cP.

With this information, two formulations of NMP were prepared, that went through typical manufacturing stresses of UF/DF, freeze/thaw and transportation. One formulation had 340 mM NMP and PLURONIC® F-68, another had 100 mM NMP, 120 mM lysine and 0.01% polysorbate 80. These formulations, which were filled into 2.25 mL prefilled syringes, were compared for their attributes with respect to the control evolocumab formulation as shown in Table 3. It was seen that the key performance measures of each formulation were all within specifications and similar to the control formulation. The purity by SEC was slightly lower for the NMP alone formulation, but further analyses showed that this slight decrease in main peak by SEC was a function of the high protein concentration; upon dilution to 170 mg/mL, it went up to 98.5%. Thus the product quality attributes appeared to be acceptable after the relevant manufacturing stresses were applied.

TABLE 3 Viscosity of evolocumab formulations Formulation 10 mM acetate 10 mM acetate 10 mM acetate pH 5.0 pH 5.0 pH 5.0 100 mM NMP 220 mM proline 340 mM NMP 120 mM lysine-HCl 0.01% PS80 0.1% PLURONIC ® F-68 0.01% PS80 136 mg/mL Attribute 210 mg/mL 210 mg/mL (control) Purity by SEC 97.6% 98.5% 98.7% Spec: >97% main peak Purity by CEX 59.4% 60.8% 59.9% Spec: >51% main peak Subvisible particle counts >10 micron: 1376 ± 238 >10 micron: 1211 ± 340 >10 micron: 1399 ± 530 Spec: >10 μm: 6000 >25 micron: 317 ± 113 >25 micron: 218 ± 103 >25 micron: 275 ± 216 particles or less >25 μm: 600 particles or less Visual inspection Practically free of particles Practically free of Practically free of Spec: practically free of particles particles particles Viscosity 35.5 cP 45.5 cP <15 cP at 136 mg/mL >>70 cP at 210 mg/mL

Example 5 The Viscosity Lowering Effect of NMP is Not Limited to Evolocumab

The effect of addition of NMP to five additional monoclonal antibodies was tested, as shown in FIG. 4. There were three IgG2 antibodies tested (in addition to evolocumab, which is an IgG2), and three IgG1 antibodies tested. The data showed that for all molecules where the viscosity was high (>20 cP) at high protein concentration (>150 mg/mL), the addition of NMP significantly reduced the viscosity of that antibody, irrespective of whether it was IgG1 or IgG2. However, if the viscosity in the control was low (<15 cP) to begin with, then addition of NMP did not have any significant impact as can be expected.

Example 6 Viscosity of Formulations Lacking a Buffer System

Evolocumab samples were buffer exchanged using CENTRICON® centrifugal units (Millipore Sigma; Billerica, Mass.) into the desired formulations of 10 mM acetate pH 5.0, 340 mM NMP, 0.1% PLURONIC® F-68 and 340 mM NMP, 0.1% PLURONIC® F-68. The pH of post-buffer exchange samples was adjusted on buffer-free formulation from pH 5.5 to pH 5.0. Samples were sterile-filtered using a 0.2 μm filter prior to concentration and viscosity measurements. Final adjusted sample concentration was determined with SoloVPE instrument as previously described. Viscosity readings were measured with RheoSense mVROC™ as previously described, and readings were an average of three replicate measurements.

As shown in Table 4, the attributes of pH and viscosity were comparable for evolocumab samples formulated with and without a buffer system.

TABLE 4 Viscosity of evolocumab formulations with and without a buffer system Formulation 10 mM acetate pH 5.0 340 mM NMP 340 mM NMP 0.1% PLURONIC ® F-68 0.1% PLURONIC ® F68 Attribute 210 mg/mL evolocumab 210 mg/mL evolocumab pH 5.0 5.0 Visual Practically free of particles Practically free of particles inspection Spec: practically free of particles Viscosity 35.7 ± 1.5 36.5 ± 2.1

Example 7 Viscosity of Formulations Comprising Both NMP and NAR (Prophetic)

Therapeutic protein samples (such as those of evolocumab) are buffer exchanged using, for example, CENTRICON® centrifugal units (Millipore Sigma; Billerica, Mass.) into the desired formulation of 10 mM acetate, 100 mM NMP, 150-155 mM NAR, 0.01% polysorbate 80, pH 5.0 as indicated in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Target and ranges component target range acetate  10 mM  5-20 mM NMP 100 mM 50-150 mM NAR 155 mM 90-200 mM polysorbate 80 0.01%  0.005-0.02% pH 5.0 4.5-5.5 The samples are analyzed as described in Example 1, including measuring concentrations, viscosity, and therapeutic protein stability. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising evolocumab at a concentration of about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL, and N-methyl pyrrolidone at a concentration between about 50 mM to about 600 mM, wherein the pharmaceutical formulation exhibits no particulation or is free of particles as determined by visual inspection or comprises 6000 or less particles of >10 μm or 600 or less particles of >25 μm per 2.25 mL of said pharmaceutical formulation.
 2. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the N-methyl pyrrolidone is at a concentration about 100 mM to about 425 mM.
 3. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, further comprising arginine or lysine.
 4. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, wherein the pH of the formulation is between about 4.5 and about 5.5.
 5. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 4, wherein the pH of the formulation is between about 4.8 and 5.2.
 6. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, further comprising a buffer, a stabilizer, or a combination thereof.
 7. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 6, wherein the stabilizer is at a concentration of between about 0.005% to about 1.0%.
 8. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 6, wherein the buffer is at a concentration of about 5 mM to about 50 mM.
 9. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, comprising about 340 mM N-methyl pyrrolidone, about 0.1% PLURONIC® F-68, and about 210 mg/mL evolocumab.
 10. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, comprising about 100 mM N-methyl pyrrolidone, about 120 mM lysine, 0.01% polysorbate 80, and about 210 mg/mL evolocumab.
 11. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, comprising about 100 mM N-methyl pyrrolidone, about 150 mM to about 155 mM N-acetyl arginine, 0.01% polysorbate 80, and about 210 mg/mL evolocumab.
 12. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 3, wherein the arginine is present at a concentration of about 90 to about 160 mM, optionally, about 130 mM, or the lysine is present at a concentration of about 100 to about 120 mM.
 13. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 6, wherein the buffer is acetate buffer, succinate buffer or glutamate buffer and/or wherein the stabilizer is polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, PLURONIC® F-68, lecithin, protamine sulfate, or polysorbate
 90. 14. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 7, wherein the stabilizer is (i) polysorbate 80 and is at a concentration of about 0.01%; (ii) PLURONIC® F-68 and is at a concentration of between about 0.05% to about 0.2%, or (iii) protamine sulfate and is at a concentration of about 0.12%.
 15. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 8, wherein the buffer is a sodium acetate buffer and is present at a concentration of about 10 mM.
 16. The pharmaceutical formulation of claim 1, comprising about 70 mM N-methyl pyrrolidone, about 130 mM arginine, 0.01% polysorbate 80, and about 210 mg/mL evolocumab. 